Flight 6: The Boon
"Ray, look at this," Lilith said. The inside of the card was not blank white as Ray had expected. There were drawings covering the card from top to bottom. Expertly-drawn diagrams of gears, axles, bits of machinery that neither Lilith or Ray recognized. There was writing surrounding the pictures. Numbers, measurements, but also instructions. Instructions on how to fit the pieces together. Hints as to which Eldricyte to look to next for the next steps.
"What... what is this?" Ray asked.
"Blueprints," said a voice from the doorway. Julian walked back into the room. He was holding a cup of steaming tea and shaking his head. "I suppose I should have told you." He picked the fake back up off the floor. "I was still hoping to keep these in good shape, but Leo and Lise really went overboard studying this. A simple flashlight behind the card would've shown the blueprints..."
"Julian," said Lilith. "What are these blueprints for?"
He sighed. "They're called the Lymph Nodes. The technology-destroying device."
"What the hell is a technology-destroying device?" Lilith demanded.
"The Lymph Node System is designed to have one Node in certain parts of the world," said Julian. "In fact, one of the Eldricytes has a map showing where each Node goes."
"Okay, but what do they do?" Ray asked. "How do they destroy technology?"
"The world would be flooded with a brief electromagnetic pulse," Julian continued. "It wouldn't last very long, but it would almost definitely be powerful enough to permanently damage everything on the planet that relies on electricity."
"And that would destroy all technology?" Ray asked. "We'd just fix it."
"The world would be thrown into chaos," said Julian. "Nowadays, everything is done using technology. From cooking food to transportation to even being able to see," He pointed towards a light bulb. "There would be too much to fix and not enough manpower. It would also have a long-term effect on humanity's scientific growth."
"All the best scientists would be killed by their own experiments," Lilith realized. "As well as everyone within a two-mile radius of Leo and Lise's laboratory."
"Precisely," Julian said solemnly. "There are thousands of scientists around the world who have dangerous experiments. Quite a few have more dangerous experiments than even Leo and Lise."
"So why the hell are we collecting these Eldricytes?" Ray demanded. "You're not trying to build this Lymph System, are you?"
"Of course not!" Julian snapped. "I'm trying to keep these blueprints out of the wrong hands! But I have no way of knowing how many people have seen them already. Someone smart enough could build the Lymph Nodes from a single Eldricyte blueprint. That's why we have to get them all."
"Who would design something like this?" Ray asked.
"My father," said Julian. "Alfred Bernhard Nobel." He shook his head. "He was one of the most brilliant scientists in the last century. He found a way to make nitroglycerine more or less inert, and invented dynamite. He was only intending to create a more efficient tool for construction. However, human nature had other plans.
"People saw dynamite's potential not for construction, but for warfare. My father watched in horror as his invention was used to kill more people more efficiently than anyone had ever considered. A newspaper once called him the merchant of death, and he accepted that nickname in shame.
"My father gave up the life of a scientist for years, until he met a small group of scientists who were willing to help him redeem himself. They believed that they could create a machine that would halt humanity's technological evolution. And my father, still guilt-stricken over his own invention, helped them. So, the three of them designed the Lymph Nodes.
"That poor fool," Julian said, shaking his head. "It was a long while after he designed the Lymph Nodes that he began to regret that too. He was a brilliant man, but cursed – he never understood the consequences of what he was designing. On his deathbed, he told me he had hid the plans for the Lymph Nodes... mentioned the word 'Eldricyte', and... well, I'm sure the rest is obvious."
"Why didn't he just destroy the plans?" Lilith asked.
"Scientists' pride, for one," said Julian. "The Lymph Nodes were possibly his greatest work. He couldn't bring himself to simply destroy the plans – especially not before they were ever built. Also, I don't think he ever made up his mind. Perhaps he decided that humanity might reach a point where the Lymph Nodes were the only option. I'm not entirely sure I ever knew what that man was thinking."
"Julian," said Ray. "We have three out of five Eldricytes. Do you honestly think anyone could create the Lymph Nodes with just the final two?"
"It's possible," said Julian. "But as long as that possibility exists, we must gather all five Eldricytes."
"Can't we just destroy them?" Lilith asked.
"If you want to be without the diagrams that explain how to safely dismantle it," Julian said. "No, destroying the plans is only a viable option if we were sure that there was no one on the planet who could build the Nodes." He sighed. "I may be biased, however. The Lymph Nodes were, as I said, my father's design. As horrible as the system is, it's too brilliant to remove from the world completely."
"And these are one-of-a-kind Duel Monsters cards," Ray added. "And you're a card collector."
"That has a little to do with it. Incidentally, please put that card back in its case," Julian said, glaring. Ray quickly did so. "Now, I believe it's time for you two to go to sleep. Tomorrow, we'll probably leave Athens and will hopefully find the fourth Eldricyte-holders. I don't want you to be too tired to duel them properly."
"R-right," Ray muttered.
"Um, sorry for – " Lilith began, but stopped as Julian raised a hand.
"I should have told you sooner. I'm sorry," Julian said. "But please, next time you want to know something, ask me first."
Who are those people? A young Lilith asked, watching a couple men run through the house's main foyer and down the stairs. Are they here about Dad's invention? She put down the stack of cards she was holding and silently followed the men. As she approached her father's workshop, she heard the voices that she assumed belonged to the men. What are they saying? I need to get closer.
"...directly into his brain stem."
"What the hell was he trying to accomplish?"
"I have no idea."
What?Lilith asked herself. For the first time she could remember, the door to her father's workshop was unlocked and open.
"Are you sure you want to go in there?" A voice asked. Lilith looked up. A normal-age Ray was leaning against the door frame, looking down at the small child that was Lilith. "You know what you'll see, don't you?"
"I have to go in," said Lilith. "That's how the dream works. I have to see what I saw that day."
"Why?" asked Ray. "It's your dream. Pick something else. Something less depressing." He jerked his thumb at the door to the lab. "What you see every night is the past. It isn't going anywhere, and you've seen it enough times. It's time to look at the future. The future you can decide for yourself." It was then that Lilith realized she was sitting on the floor. She stood up, now just as old and almost as tall as Ray, as usual. "You sure grow up fast."
"Don't patronize me," Lilith said.
"So, what's behind the door?" Ray asked, eagerly staring at it. "Let's see it!"
"Yeah, yeah," Lilith chuckled. She put her hand against the door... and woke up.
"And there's our sleeping beauty now," Ray chuckled as Lilith finally joined him and Julian for breakfast. Ray was finishing a bowl of oatmeal as Julian sipped a cup of coffee and read a newspaper. "What kept you?"
"I stayed up 'til 2 to sneak into your room, remember?" Lilith said, raising an eyebrow. She scooped herself a bowl of oatmeal as well.
Julian chuckled, stroking his moustache. "What an interesting conversation." He flipped a page. "Oh, here's something else interesting." He put the newspaper down on the table and pointed to an article. "Eldricytes Targeted," He read. "A tiny column, but I guess people are interested in we who have defeated three tournament winners."
"Awesome!" Ray grabbed the page. "'A man and two teenagers or young adults have been seen duelling several of the finalists from the recent Greek Islands Championship'," he read. "'As of this article, the trio had obtained three Eldricytes – Basos the Flayer, Monos the Swallower and Eosinos the Burner. The trio were not available for interviews, but Miss Lise Meitner and Dr. Leo Szilard were available to give comments.' There's a bit more on page 17."
"Wait, which Eldricytes did they list?" Lilith asked.
"Basos, Monos and... Eosinos," said Ray.
"No mention of Neutros?" Julian wondered.
"Our duel against Junkgirl and Scrapman was pretty late in the evening," said Lilith. "Maybe they rushed to print the column and didn't confirm which Eldricyte those two had had beforehand?"
"No," said Julian, now on page 17. "The article goes on to list the people we've defeated. Fifth-place winners Nephele and Demetria Ambrosia, third-place winners Lise Meitner and Leo Szlilard, then second-place winners Jorgun and Balinbow Bakusa. There's no mention of Scrapman and Junkgirl... oh, wait." He pointed to a lower section of the article. "It specifically lists those two, as well as the first-place winners of the tournament, as people who should watch out for us."
"So what's that mean?" Ray asked, drinking the milk out of his cereal bowl. "The media sucks?"
"Either they made a lot of coincidental errors," said Julian. "Or there's another group after the Eldricytes."
"A group of one man and two young adults?" Ray asked. "That seems pretty unlikely."
Julian sighed. "Unfortunately, there are a couple other people who might be after the Eldricytes. And, for those who don't have a tag-duelling partner, hiring duellists like I have you isn't out of the question."
"Didn't you mention a 'small group of scientists' that helped your father invent the Lymph Nodes?" Lilith asked. "Are they the couple other people?"
"Yes," said Julian. "George Chapman and Albert Gewald. Though now that I think about it, Mr. Chapman gave up science quite a number of years ago in favour of card collecting – similar to myself. Yes, it must be Gewald." He sighed. "My father specifically warned me about that man. Though my father and Mr. Chapman were interested in building the Lymph Nodes, it was Gewald who was the most eager. Indeed, he was the one who began the project."
"Why?" asked Ray.
"I couldn't say," said Julian. "But, our next step is clear. At some point, the two of you will have to duel whoever Albert Gewald has hired. However, they will likely be coming to us."
"Why would one of the inventors of – " Lilith began a question, but Julian interrupted her.
"Albert could never have figured out the Lymph Nodes himself. Otherwise, what use would there have been for Mr. Chapman and my father? I have no doubt that he only knows a small amount of how to build the Lymph Nodes. He likely needs all five Eldricytes to construct them." He stroked his moustache. "The people he's hired are stronger than anyone you've faced so far. They were able to defeat even the runners-up in the tournament."
"We can still beat them!" Ray argued.
"I want to make absolutely sure," said Julian. "I also want to be absolutely sure that it is Gewald that we're looking for. Our next destination will be George Chapman's house here in Athens. We will talk to him about Gewald and the Lymph Nodes."
"Okay, but how is that going to make absolutely sure we can beat whoever Gewald's hired?" Lilith asked.
"He is a collector of extremely rare cards, just as I am. However, he dabbles in a specific kind of card." Julian held up his index finger for emphasis. "Cards that represent the unity of opposites. There is one card that I lack, but I'm sure has not escaped his collection. A card that joins Solanimus and Lunanima."
"There's a card like that?" Ray asked, awe-struck.
"There is indeed," said Julian. "I don't know its entire name. To me, it's only 'Eklepia'. Two completely-opposite themes... a card that joins them together... yes, George Chapman would do anything in his power to obtain it."
"Is this why you picked us specifically?" Lilith asked. "So we could use this card?"
"No no," Julian said. "I was never planning to bet any cards from my collection against anything other than Eldricytes, so the thought hadn't crossed my mind – though I wouldn't have complained if either of you had already owned Eklepia. No, I picked the two of you because I believe you can bring out the best in each other. I too believe in the joining of opposites."
"Realistically, we won't be able to refuse duelling Albert's minions no matter when they show up, right?" Lilith asked. "We need the last two Eldricytes as much as they do."
"Agreed," said Julian. "If Albert finds us, or we find Albert, we'll have to duel whether we have Eklepia or not. So, let's find Mr. Chapman and chat about Eklepia as soon as possible."
"How soon is that?" Lilith asked.
"As soon as you finish your breakfast."
"Another bloody laboratory?" Lilith rubbed her forehead, as the three stood before a rundown building.
"I thought you said Mr. Chapman stopped science-ing," Ray said.
"Yes, but I suppose he never got rid of the lab," Julian said. "I suppose he could still do it as a hobby. But don't worry, Lilith, I don't expect anything that shoots electricity."
"Good."
Julian carefully stepped up to the door, but to their relief, there were no trap doors. Ray and Lilith followed as Julian knocked and, not a robot, but a human answered the door – a young, dark-haired maid. "Hello there," said Julian. "Is Mr. Chapman in?"
"Please follow me," said the maid in a depressing monotone. As she turned, Lilith noticed a piece of machinery sticking out of the bottom of her neck.
I guess she's not as human as I thought, Lilith considered, trying not to sigh out loud. Crazy scientists.She followed behind Ray and Julian, noting how dusty and dreary the inside of the building was as well. Lilith was at least happy to see that, wherever she expected to find some odd experiment was instead a bookcase or other piece of non-explosive furniture. They finally approached a large parlour, similar to the one in which they had first met, which was empty except for a large chair facing a fireplace.
"Master George Chapman," introduced the maid. She then left.
"Hello, George," Julian said gravely. A shadow rose out of the chair. There was no doubt George Chapman was old, but Ray and Lilith had expected someone around Julian's age. George looked not much more than middle-age. He still had a decent head of hair as well as a handlebar moustache that was almost as large as Julian's.
"That voice," said George. "You're Alfred's son, aren't you?"
"That's right."
"Julian, was it?"
"Yes."
Lilith noticed how tense Julian's responses seemed to be. She glanced at Ray, who also looked uneasy. Even he's noticed it. There's something off about this guy.
"I wonder," said George. "What brings you here? I thought your father warned you to stay away from me."
"He did, decades ago," Julian agreed. "However, we're both grown men now. I'd be... surprised... if your methods of obtaining cards were the same as they were when we met."
"I do regret those days," George said solemnly. "It's true that stealing was the only way I could obtain cards at that point, what with all of our funds being put into those damned projects, but... I won't make excuses for my behaviour. But we're getting off-track. Why have you come here?"
"I've come here to bet on a duel," said Julian. "With that Eklepia of yours as ante."
"Eklepia is one of my rarest cards," George replied. "You'd have to bet something – "
"My deck," said Julian, fanning out his cards. "I know you were collecting opposites. My father warned me about you specifically because he knew you'd be interested in my deck."
"Dualities," George muttered, stroking his chin and leaning over to see the deck. "You have all of them?"
"Yes."
"Then it's a deal." George strode over to a bookcase filled with card binders. He wasted no time in finding one particular one, took out a card and showed it to Julian. "I'll wager my Eklepia." He tossed the card onto a nearby table, took a dusty duel disc from a shelf and strapped it to his arm.
"So, who's going to duel him?" Ray asked. "Lilith's been adding things like Shiftto her deck, so it's probably better if I – "
"I'll be duelling," said Julian quickly. He flipped a switch on his disc that auto-shuffled his deck. "This isn't for an Eldricyte, so it's not part of your job."
"So you think you can do better than the professional duellists you hired?" George asked incredulously. "Oh well, it doesn't matter to me. Let's..."
"Duel," They said together.
"I'll set one monster and... two backrows," Julian said carefully, as three card backs appeared.
"How dull," George said. "I summon Chaos-End Master!" There appeared a white-and-gold angel with an impatient look on his face. (1500 ATK) "Chaos-End Masterattacks your monster." Chaos-End shot a ray of light from its fingertips. A tadpole that looked like a yin-yang symbol with a tail appeared and caught the attack, exploding.
"That was Duality – Subsulto," Julian explained. "When it's destroyed by battle, I can Special Summon a Duality from my deck. Behold, Duality – Pungo!" A small lizard with a spiky tail took the place of the fallen tadpole (1800 ATK)
"Well, when Chaos-End Master destroys a monster by battle, I can Special Summon a monster from my deck as well. Appear, Sphere of Chaos!" An eerie, mechanical ball appeared beside the angel, rotating slowly in the air. (1600 ATK)
"If that's all you're summoning, then I activate this!" Julian announced, as one of his set cards flipped up. "Shattered Duality. When a Duality is destroyed, I Special Summon a different Duality with the same Level. Duality – Servo!" A black and white turtle shell appeared beside Pungo the lizard, eyes visible through the hole in the front. (2100 DEF) "By its effect, you can't attack other Dualities."
"I can't destroy it by battle either," George agreed. "So during my Main Phase 2, I'll tune Level 3 Chaos-End Master with Level 5 Sphere of Chaos! Harken to the tale told at the end of time. Behold the creature born of anarchy. Synchro Summon! Scream, Chaos End Dragon – Envoy of Eternity!"
"That card..." Julian muttered. An enormous, armoured dragon rose from the ground. A long mane of red hair flapped in the nonexistent wind. (3000 ATK)
"When this card is summoned, all other cards are destroyed," George explained. "And then you take 500 for each. Say goodbye to your Pungo and Servo... as well as that backrow."
"That backrow is Duality Cycle," Julian explained, as it flipped up. "Now, I can select pairs of Light and Dark Dualities, and then draw one card for each pair." He drew a single card. "More importantly, it doesn't count as being destroyed by Chaos End Dragon. Though, it's a shame..." He instinctively covered his face as his reptiles exploded, and a shockwave of dust flew over his face. (1000 damage - 7000 LP)
"What an unfair card," Ray muttered.
"Life isn't fair, child," said George. "End turn."
Julian drew. He glanced at the card and frowned. "I activate Sage's Meditation," he said. An aura of white and black light shone around him briefly. "Now, I can add a Light and a Dark Duality from my Graveyard to my hand. I reclaim Servo and Subsulto." The tadpole and turtle appeared as well, leaping from the floor into his hand of cards. "Now, I set one monster and another backrow. End turn."
"Julian must not have drawn Third Eye of Enlightenment," Lilith whispered to Ray. "Without that, he can't lead any sort of offence."
"So..." said George. "That facedown of yours is likely Subsulto. These Dualities are going to be annoying considering all the Graveyard recursion they possess. But... I banish Chaos-End Master and [color]Sphere of Chaos[/color] in my Graveyard!" Their images appeared briefly and crumpled. "Arise! Chaos Sorcerer!" A wicked-looking warlock in a black cape faded into view. "With this, I'll simply remove whatever monster you summon withSubsulto. Chaos End Dragonattacks!" The dragon let loose a stream of light that constantly shifted colour.
"You were wrong," said Julian. "The monster is Servo, actually. Here's why! I activate my set card – Evolutionary Pressure! I send a monster that's being attacked to the Graveyard..." The card disappeared. "And now, I summon its Transformed version. Duality – Servo Lente!" An enormous tortoise took the place of the facedown card. It had its head out of its shell proudly. (1600 ATK) "Furthermore, your monster keeps attacking." He pointed towards Chaos End Dragon. "However, by the effect of Servo Lente, Chaos End Dragon's ATK becomes its DEF of 2500, and Servo Lente's ATK becomes its DEF of 2800!"
"Impressive," George admitted. The stream was absorbed into the tortoise's shell, and then reflected back at the dragon, obliterating it. (300 damage - 7700 LP) "However, my plan was still effective. During my Main Phase 2, Chaos Sorcerer banishes Servo Lente." A vortex of black appeared at the tortoise's feet, carrying it into oblivion. "I'll also play Monster Reborn!" The armoured dragon reappeared on the field, letting out another roar. (3000 ATK) "End turn."
"I'm kinda glad neither of us is duelling," said Lilith.
"Are you kidding?" Ray demanded. "This game is so intense already. I'd do anything to be part of it."
"Tell me, Julian," said George. "Why are you going so far for this Eklepia card? I know how much effort you and your father spent collecting the Dualities. I know how important they are to you. So why risk them all for a card for... them?" He pointed towards Ray and Lilith.
"I have no choice," said Julian, his hand hesitating above his deck. He took a deep breath. "Albert Gewald... Albert is trying to build the Lymph Nodes."
"No..." said George. "No, it can't be..."
"That's not quite the reaction I expected," Julian admitted. "Perhaps I should've told you that at the beginning and we could have avoided this."
"Albert's creating the Lymph Nodes?" George repeated. "That... monster. How could he?" He turned back to the fireplace. "How could he build them... without me?"
"What?"
George turned back to the duel, eyes brimming with insanity. "Do you have any idea how long I've waited to see the Lymph Nodes built?" He let out a roar of laughter. "That man... he's finally doing it! Finally!"
"Don't you understand what will happen to the world?" Ray demanded.
"Of course I understand!" George exclaimed. "Civilization as we know it will be uprooted! Cities will be destroyed... the world will burn." He turned to Ray and Lilith. "You kids might not be old enough to understand, but humanslivefor this sort of chaos. Humans are programmed to find destruction... exciting. Auto races? People watch them in the hopes that someone will die. News stories report gruesome murders first because that's what people want to see. And do you know why? It's all so simple. People want something different. And the Lymph Nodes... why, what could be as different as the rebirth of society?"
"Enough!" Julian roared. "Not all humans are as disgusting as you. I see now what my father thought – he plain didn't trust you. I wonder how you were able to keep the facade of a normal, sane human in his presence." He pulled the top card of his deck out of the disc. "I wish you had've kept that facade for us. Your true self is horrifying." He glanced at the card and smiled. "I activate Third Eye of Enlightenment!"
"There we go!" Ray cried.
"So, little Julian thinks he's enlightened, does he?" George asked, as a beam of light deposited a holographic third eyeball in Julian's forehead. "You're the one with a hologram covering his face. Who's hiding behind a facade now? Can you – "
"What are you blabbering about?" Julian demanded. "It was obvious when you began raving like a lunatic that there's no sense reasoning with the likes of you! I summon Duality – Celo!" A yin-yang symbol appeared suspended in midair. Then eight legs burst from it, and it fell to the ground as a white and black spider. (1000 ATK) "Celo attacks Chaos Sorcerer!"
"You've lost it," George chuckled, as the spider flew at his warlock. "1000 versus 2300? If you were planning to use Honest, you forgot to change Celo's Attribute to Light."
"If I had done that, I couldn't use Celo's own effect," Julian explained, as a strand of web reeled Celo back to Julian's hand. "When it battles, I can return it to my hand and Special Summon another Duality, having it battle instead. Duality – Calco!" As the spider changed into a card and landed neatly in Julian's hand, a strand of thread snapped forward, launching a black and white elephant onto the field. (2400 ATK) It struggled to catch its footing, running full-speed immediately at Chaos Sorcerer, not stopping until it had mowed straight through the wizard. (100 damage - 7600 LP) "Finally, during my End Phase, I activate the effect of Third Eye of Enlightenment!"Calco's ears shrank, but every other part of it grew, particularly its tusks. "Duality – Calco Ingens!" There stood a black and white mammoth that trumpeted proudly. (3000 ATK)
"And now Julian's got the upper hand," Ray said.
"Don't be so sure," Lilith warned.
"My move!" said George. "I summon Manju of the 10,000 Hands!" A horrific idol rose from the ground. It stretched a large number of hands, though Lilith doubted it was actually 10,000. (1400 ATK) "Its effect addsAdvanced Ritual Art to my hand. Now... Chaos End Dragon attacks Calco Ingens!"
"What?" Ray demanded, as the dragon shot a stream of light. It collided with a similar beam from the mammoth's trunk, resulting in an explosion that left neither.
"I suspected as much," Julian said gravely. "Chaos End Dragon's effect activates when it's summoned, so there's no sense keeping it around."
"I attacked because I wanted to, nothing more," George argued. "Manju of the 10,000 Handsattacks as well!" The demon-like angel spun in place, creating a Tornado of limbs that crashed into Julian. (1400 damage - 5600 LP) "End turn."
Julian hummed in thought. He'll likely summon a Ritual monster next turn. There are five I can think of with a chaos theme... however, Black Luster Soldier isn't particularly likely. And he doesn't seem the type to use Northwemko. It's likely Garlandorf or one of the ones summoned by End of the World. He glanced at his hand. Well, this will defend against any. "I summon Duality – Subsulto!" The tadpole from earlier reappeared on the field, wiggling its tail to swim in place. (1600 ATK) "Subsulto attacks Manju!" It built up speed in its tail, then launched itself at Manju, headbutting it in the torso. (200 damage - 7400 LP) "I'll end my turn. Now, Subsulto evolves byThird Eye of Enlightenment into Duality – Subsulto Cito!" The tadpole's tail disappeared, and limbs erupted from its body. A three-eyed frog, half black and half white, landed on the field and ribbited. (2300 ATK)
"I activate Advanced Ritual Art!" George declared. A pillar of flame erupted in front of him. "I send Level 4 Shining Abyss and Level 3 Ancient Brain to the Graveyard..." Two more pillars of fire appeared and shifted into the main column. "Now! Ritual Summon! Garlandolf, King of Destruction!" A blue-skinned, horned demon tore its way out of the fire. It let out an unearthly howl. (2500 ATK) "Now – Garlandolf's effect. It destroys all face-up monsters with less DEF than its ATK. What's Subsulto Cito's DEF? Ah, only 400. Garlandolf! Chaos Howl!" The demon screamed; the frog flew into the sky. "Now, Garlandolfgains 100 ATK." (2600 ATK)
"Well, that triggers Subsulto Cito's effect. When its removed from the field, I Special Summon a Duality from my deck. Behold – Duality – Cogito!" As if the floor were water, a yin-yang coloured octopus rose from the depths, lazily floating just at the surface. (2600 DEF)
"So I can't destroy it by battle..." George sighed. "End turn! I see your strategy of cowering behind your monsters is effective."
"Who's cowering?" Julian demanded. "I activate Pot of Avarice. I return Dualities Subsulto, Servo, Servo Lente, Subsulto Cito and Calco to my deck." He flipped a switch, reshuffling his cards, then drew two. "Ah, excellent. I activate Duality Cycle! By revealing one Duality in my hand, I Special Summon a Duality in my Graveyard with the opposite Attribute." Celo the spider appeared. "Celo is Dark, so I summon back the Light-AttributeDuality - Pungo!" He slapped a card onto his disc; the lizard hopped in front of the octopus. "And now that I control another Duality, I can activate Cogito's effect to take control of Garlandolf."
"I discard Effect Veiler," George said lazily, as a scarfed woman appeared for an instant. "Cogito's effect is negated."
"I figured as much," Julian muttered. "I switch Cogito to Attack Position. Next, I summon Celo!" The spider appeared for real, taking a stance beside its octopus and lizard companions. "I'll activate Pungo's effect and change its Attribute to DARK. I'll also equip it with this – Ascension After Death!" A scroll appeared in the lizard's mouth. "Pungo attacks Garlandolf!"
"Garlandolfis 800 points stronger," George reminded him. "Clearly you have a plan."
"I do," said Julian, as the lizard was swatted into oblivion by the demon. "Any monster that battles a DARK-Attribute Pungo is returned to the deck!" A barrage of spikes launched themselves from nowhere, driving Garlandolf back into the ground. "Also, when a Duality equipped with Ascension After Deathis destroyed by battle..."
"It ascends, I presume," George muttered.
"Exactly. Behold! Duality – Pungo Exertus!" The lizard hopped back onto the field, then stood upright and grew until it was taller than even Garlandolf had been. (2400 ATK) "Oh, and don't think my Battle Phase is over.Celo, Cogito and Pungo Exertus – three direct attacks!" Black-and-white thread weaved by Celo wrapped around a beam of light shot from Cogito's tentacles before swirling around Pungo Exertus' drill-like tail. The three attacks struck George simultaneously (1000 + 2100 + 2400 = 5500 damage - 900 LP). "I will obtain Eklepia. And together, the three of us will stop the Lymph Nodes!"
"That resolve..." said Ray. "There's no way Julian can lose like this."
"I feel it too," said Lilith. "Sheer determination."
"I set one card!" Julian continued. "And during my End Phase, by Third Eye of Enlightenment, Cogito evolves into Duality – Cogito Sapiens!" The octopus' head elongated, becoming a squid's crest. It also sprouted two more tentacles and – naturally – a third eye. (3100 DEF) "Come at me with everything you've got."
"Be careful what you wish for!" George cried. "When a monster is Special Summoned to your field, I can discard a card to Special Summon this! Chaos Hunter!" A masked woman in red jumped onto the field. She ran her hand through long, white hair and cracked a whip with her other arm. (2500 ATK) "And now to begin my actual turn. I banish Shining Abyss and Ancient Brain in my Graveyard." A beam of purple light and a beam of yellow light flew to the ceiling, swirling around each other. "Harken to the nobility of ancient times! Behold the warrior wielding the sword of chaos! Black Luster Soldier – Envoy of the Beginning!" A nimble, blue-and-gold armoured knight leapt down onto the field. It held a curved scimitar and an ornate shield. (3000 ATK)
"It's still no match for Cogito Sapiens," said Julian. "And any monster that battles a Duality is Banished by the effect of Pungo Exertus."
"Fool!" George said. "You can't Banish any monsters by the effect of Chaos Hunter. As for Cogito Sapiens... I have faith. Black Luster Soldier attacks Cogito Sapiens!" His knight flew at the squid. Before its sword struck, Julian realized George's plan. "During the Damage Step, I discard Honest. This gives Black Luster Soldier extra ATK equal to the 2600 of Cogito Sapiens!" (ATK: 5600)
"Dammit!" Julian cursed as Black Luster Soldier cleaved the squid in twain. However, the two pieces turned into pieces of a yin-yang symbol. "Still... I activate Shattered Duality!" The two halves of the yin-yang became a tadpole and a turtle. "When a Fusion Monster Duality is destroyed, its advanced effect is activated – it summons two Dualities of equal level but opposite Attributes from my deck." (Subsulto: 200 DEF, Servo: 2100 DEF) "Furthermore, you can't attack any monsters other than Servo with that second attack of Black Luster Soldier."
"Very well, I'll attack Servo," said George. "But not before I activate Enemy Controller from my hand, switching Servo to Attack Position." The turtle poked its head out of its shell obliviously. (500 ATK) "Black Luster Soldierattacks!" The soldier merely swung its blade through the air; a shockwave sliced the turtle in half. (5100 damage - 500 LP)
"What the hell...?" Ray gasped. "This duel is ridiculous!"
"Chaos versus order," Lilith said softly. "Two completely opposite ideals of what happens when light and dark combine. They're duelling with all of their resolve."
"Now," said George. "Attacking Celo would just let you return it to your hand and replace it with a defender. Chaos Hunter attacks Pungo Exertus!" A lash of the woman's whip caused the dinosaur to explode. (100 damage - 400 LP) "I'll set one card and end. I daresay, Julian, it's over. But you put up a good fight."
"It is over," Julian agreed, drawing. "Order will triumph over chaos! I tribute Dualities Servo and Subsulto. Light and shadow will become the weapons of humanity! Let law be cast upon the unjust! Duality – Ordinatus Rex!" A brilliant white beast galloped onto the arena. A mane of gold ran down its back. It blinked three eyes and let out a roar. (3000 ATK)
"Impressive," George admitted. "It's that card that I wanted from your deck."
"Sorry, you can't have it," Julian said. "I activate Sage's Meditation – adding Dualities Celo and Pungo back to my hand. Next, I summon Duality – Celo!" The spider reappeared. (1000 ATK) "I'll activate the effect of Ordinatus Rex." Julian pointed at Celo. "I can select a Duality I control, as well as one of your cards. I send them both to the Graveyard, and then play that Duality's evolved form!" He switched to pointing at Black Luster Soldier. Both it and the spider became orbs of light that flew into Ordinatus Rex's mouth. The kirin spat out a black-and-white spider that was bigger than most dogs. (2100 ATK) "Behold! Duality – Celo Mactabilis!"
"I see," said George. "Still..."
"Yes, I see your backrow. Celo Mactabilis' effect activates!" The spider tossed a web upon the facedown card. "I can target a facedown card, destroy it, and then Special Summon a Duality from my hand." Pungo the lizard reappeared, as George's Mirror Forceexploded. (1800 ATK)
"It... it can't be!" George cried.
"Ordinatus Rex attacks Chaos Hunter!" Julian ordered, as his kirin launched an enormous blast of spiralling energy through the whip-wielding woman. (500 damage - 400 LP) "You were doomed when you tried using aChaos Hunter to fight order! Celo Mactabilis– finish this!" The spider shot a glowing web through its mouth, each strand stabbing through George. (2100 damage - 0 LP)
"That was awesome!" Ray exclaimed.
"And now we've got a weapon to use against the other Eldricyte users," Lilith smiled. "I can hardly wait to – "
"No," said George. "Get out."
"What do you mean no?" Lilith demanded. "Julian won, so – "
"Why were you under the impression that I'd keep my promise?" George asked. He flipped a pistol out of his pocket. "Leave. Now."
"George, you..." Julian began, but George cocked the gun, and the three threw their hands into the air. "Okay, we'll... we'll leave."
"That psychopath," Lilith rubbed her eyes. The three of them now sat in the hotel lobby. "Who the hell threatens to shoot you for winning?"
"That man must have been more unstable than I thought," said Julian. "Though I figured that out when he first mentioned the Lymph Nodes." He glanced at Ray. "What are you grinning about?"
"This," said Ray, holding up a card that sparkled in the room's lights. "I was checking it out during your duel. Then he told us to leave, and, well..."
"He never told you to put it back," Lilith said, shrugging.
"Exactly," said Ray. "Besides, we won it fair and square. I have no regrets..." He held the card closer to the light to get a better look at its artwork. "I like it. Eklepia – Dragon Knight of Syzygy."